Dengue alert in North and East

People educated on precautions

The Epidemiology Unit is conducting a special assessment on the mosquito situation in the North and East amidst fears of a dengue outbreak in areas hitherto unaffected by the epidemic, with the on set of the North East Monsoon, according to a media release from the Ministry of Health and Nutrition.

Although there has been a marked decline in Dengue in the month of August compared to other months, the public have been advised to continue with the Dengue control methods put in force by the health authorities. In April the number of Dengue cases reported was 1,058, May 4,182 and June 7,050. However, a decline was witnessed from July with only 1648 cases reported as at August 21.

So far the number of deaths from the epidemic has been 240. Of these as much as 60 percent were those of adults over 60 years of age and 30 percent below the age of 15.

However a study is being carried out by the Epidemiology Unit to ascertain if all these deaths were dengue related.

Meanwhile Dr. Hasitha Tissera of the Epidemiology Unit stated that although the spread of Dengue has been contained there was a likelihood of the virus increasing in potency together with complications associated with the epidemic.

He also warned of a threat of the spread of Dengue in the North and East due to the Mosquito carrying the vector migrating to the area with the expected North East Monsoon in the coming month. He also expressed concern at the lack of knowledge of the people in those areas on how to deal with the situation since the North and East was among the areas where the lowest number if Dengue prevalence was reported in the past.

Therefore, steps have already been taken by the Epidemiology unit to educate these people on the Dengue control measures through Medical staff in the area.

In addition specialists on the subject from the Epidemiology Unit are already in the North and East inspecting mosquito density and to ascertain if there is a growth of vector carrier known to be from the EEds group of mosquitos, in the region.

However, the main reason for deaths have been attributed to the delay by patients seeking treatment from Government hospitals when they develop fever, specially when seeking treatment too late.In such instances death occurs due to Dengue shock and haemorrhaging, the release states.

Therefore, the Ministry has requested the public to seek treatment from a Government hospital if the fever continues for over two to three days especially the people of the North and East who are more or less strangers to the epidemic which is likely to affect their areas with the onset of the North East monsoon.

The Ministry has also requested the people to take preventive measures by clearing their premises and surroundings of mosquito breeding grounds.